Since the start of December, 855 people have been killed in more than 700 fatal crashes countrywide, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said on Tuesday.

Gauteng reported the most crashes with 148, KwaZulu-Natal 138, the Eastern Cape 99, Mpumalanga 77, and the Free State 63.

Limpopo had 59 crashes, the Western Cape 57, the North West 50, and Northern Cape 25.

The RTMC said the contributory factors included dangerous overtaking, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol.

On the N12, about 20km from Klerksdorp on the road to Wolmaransstad, North West, 14 people were killed on December 1.

More deaths On December 6, on the N11 between Middelburg and Groblersdal in Limpopo, nine people were killed in another major fatal crash. Seven people were killed on December 12 on the N2 in Rhebokfontein, near Pongola in KwaZulu-Natal.

Seven people were killed in a crash on the N1 between Laingsburg and Cape Town on December 13.

In Mpumalanga the highest speed recorded was 200km/h in a 120km/h zone. The driver was expected to appear in the Grootvlei Magistrate's Court.

In Limpopo, a driver was released on R2 000 bail for driving 171km/h in a 120km/h zone.

A driver was arrested in the Free State for driving 219km/h in a 120km/h zone and released on R2 000 bail.

In the Free State 20 people were arrested for speeding since the start of the month. Thirty arrests for drunken driving were made in Limpopo and 14 in the North West. – Sapa

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